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The Pursuit

pur·sue: follow (someone or something) in order to catch or attack them. (of a person or way) continue or proceed along (a path or route).

It is the things that we pursue that show our desire for what we truly value most importantly. And it is the things that we abandon that show the things we care less for. How we go after what we choose to pursue not only shows desire but a passion to have it in our lives.

To seek for God’s favor is to abandon our cares of what would make us feel favored in the world:

1 Timothy 6:9-11

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

To seek for God is to abandon evil:

Proverbs 15:9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Psalm 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

1 Peter 3:11

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

To seek for doing good leads us from doing bad:

1 Corinthians 14:1– Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Proverbs 11:19

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

To seek for the welfare of others abandons our own selfishness:

Romans 14:19

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Help Me Be Faithful To Believe In The Things I Cannot See

There was a season in my life recently where I was beginning to desire things to really move to the next chapter of what I was desiring to happen (new home, updated job, an ease in some stresses, etc.). As I began to pray God spoke to me through many sermons about the things in my life that must learn to be guided by faith and not by sight. Not too long after I began a serious pursuit for change in prayer I walked outside of my house at the time and beheld this:

2014-09-12 18.10.27

At first glance this appears to be a normal beautiful day. Most days I would have probably looked over this and marched right in the car and went on…but something was different this time. What makes this picture different is that the clouds were covering the mountainside entirely and were taking the shape of the mountain in its entirety. IMMEDIATELY my spirit was quickened within me and I heard the words: “see the mountain by faith and not by sight”. What a mighty blessing this was to me!

I cannot hardly put into words this experience that I had but what it helped me to realize is that faith helps us shape what does not appear to be what we want into what we are desiring. Faith simply reveals what our sight is covering. My prayer has been since this experience: “God help me to see the things that I cannot see with my own understanding. Help me to see things by faith and not simply but what my perception tells me” Since this experience God has blessed me many times over what I ever expected to happen. However my friends I must say that the biggest life changer for me that goes beyond the materials things was the lesson I learned that day about faith. Faith helps me move mountains by seeing beyond the fact that I cannot see it move. Faith helps me believe in the things that would seem impossible. And without faith our purpose is dead. Live to grow your faith to see Christ and the wonder of His love for your life. Be faithful to receive the goal of your faith. I close with this passage:

1 Peter 1:5-9

“who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,  for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

What To Do When You Do Not Know What To Do

If there is one feeling that everyone knows more than any other, it would definitely be related to being confused or unsure right before the next choice or decision (especially the bigger ones that involve more than just yourself). The anxiety alone can almost feel just as bad if not worse than the decision or even the consequences if a decision went wrong. You see, worry and uncertainty are both directly related to fear as they are types of fear when applied to certain situations. I have to win this battle before and even sometimes when the times are hard; for me or anyone to say otherwise is misleading.

So what do we do?

Well, the first thing to do is run to God with the fully established trust in your heart. God is the only presence in my life that has not let me down! The second thing is to use that established trust to lay down as much as (if not all) of the “I do not know what to do” anxiety. You must begin to pick up faith as God builds it up within you, otherwise you will be stuck in step two with the ability to know God can do it but do not trust God to! And finally, the last couple of steps is to follow through on the spiritual guidance and leadership that God will direct you in. It is also important to receive instructions for change as well! Sometimes we miss the increase because we are not willing to decrease.

I know this does not apply to EVERY situation, but it can help with a lot of the issues that we can prevent and learn to overcome before they ever begin! Trust God greater! I believe in you!